The Essential Training Philosophy of
the Late Grandmaster Liu Yun-Qiao

The Inner
and Outer Sections of the Logo represent the Internal and
External Relationship of all Things in Nature.

The inner and outer
configuration is universal symbol of the nature of all things. With regard to
human nature, the external configuration consists of the body, skin, hair, etc.,
while the internal configuration symbolizes the innate knowledge and characteristics
of the individual. It is divided into an inner and outer section. The inner
section of the logo is divided into two half circles. The upper half is white
and the lower half is black. The outer section of the logo is a concentric shape
divided into sections by the eight arcing lines.

With Regard
to the Martial Arts, there must always be an Internal and External Component

The concentric circle
of the center represents Tai Ji (the infinite, ultimate). The upper and lower
(White & Black) portions of the circle represent Liang Yi (the two ideas,
Yin and Yang). The Si Xiang (4 images) are contained within the Liang Yi portion.
The curving lines radiating from the center symbolizes the 8 trigrams (Ba Gua).
The mutual relationship between the black and white colors represent heaven
and earth, yin and yang, form and no form, substantial and insubstantial (empty
and full), hard and soft, heavy and light, advance and retreat, etc.

The Four
Images (Si Xiang) within the Two Ideas (Liang Yi) consist of: training, practice,
investigation, and nature; coldness, heat, emptiness, and relaxation; and solidity,
calmness, peacefulness, and smoothness.

There are four stages
of learning marital arts which are based on the Si Xiang. The first stage
is childhood in which the student must learn the basics and train continuously
with rest. This requires instruction from a good teacher and will yield a solid
foundation in the art. The second stage is the teenage years when one
should practice the basics until they become natural. The third stage is
during the adult years when one should take what one has learned and develop
a higher level of skill by a careful investigation of the arts. Thereby the
knowledge and skill attained at this stage will yield greater growth and wisdom.
The fourth stage is in the years of old age. This is the time to nurture
one's skills. It is at this time that the martial arts practitioner will preserve
and protect the level of skill developed in all of the previous stages.

The Four
Essentials to Learning the Martial Arts and Exercising the Body, which are based
on the Si Xiang, consist of Coldness, Heat, Emptiness, and Relaxation.

On a psychological
level, the mind must remain cool and at peace, empty of thoughts, and the temperament
should be relaxed and natural. On the physiological level, this means one must
always keep the head from overheating, maintain warm feet, keep an empty stomach,
and MAINTAIN RELAXED MUSCLES WITHIN THE POSTURES.

Certainty,
Calmness, Peacefulness, and Smoothness are the Basic Ways of Nurturing the Heart
and Temperament.

These four principles
must always be applied in the practice of the martial arts. Certainty or solidity
is essential in order to maintain proper postures. Peacefulness or tranquility
must be maintained when going through movements (a form) and executing a technique.
Carefulness, in the form of calmness, must be maintained so as to avoid injury.
Smoothness must be used in transition moves in order to defeat your opponent.

The logo of the
Wu Tang symbolizes this essential training philosophy of the late Grandmaster
Liu Yun-Qiao.